Mohan G Kshatriyan, known for his films Draupathi and Bakasuran, has sparked backlash for his latest comments against transgender woman Negha during a televised debate. The director earlier spoke about Karthik Subbaraj’s recent release, Dorothy, without naming the film. After its release, the film starring Keerthy Suresh, Sananth and Rishikanth, invited discourse over its LGBTQ+ themes. Mohan joined in on the chatter, claiming that queer representation was ‘funded by NGOs’ to ‘erode culture’.
Karthik Subbaraj's statement
Now director Karthik Subbaraj has publicly condemned director Mohan G for making transphobic remarks against a transgender woman named Negha. Taking to X, Karthik shared a video statement where he started by thanking the audience for showing so much love and support to the film. He then said that the is aware of the targetted hatred for the film that had come up initially. He then named director Mohan G and said nobody had given him the right to publicly shame or humiliate another person on the basis of their gender identity. “Transphobia is gender violence and is as bad as caste or communal violence. Nobody has given you the right to hurt them in front of everyone,” he said.
During the debate, Mohan G questioned Negha about marriage and the ability to have children. Karthik asked if the ability to reproduce is the highest purpose of human existence and there was no justification for remarks that was meant to humiliate the person and attack them psychologically. The film Dorothy specifically nudges viewers to look at transpeople as equals. Despite that, he was able to make transphobic comments in an open forum.
{{/usCountry}}During the debate, Mohan G questioned Negha about marriage and the ability to have children. Karthik asked if the ability to reproduce is the highest purpose of human existence and there was no justification for remarks that was meant to humiliate the person and attack them psychologically. The film Dorothy specifically nudges viewers to look at transpeople as equals. Despite that, he was able to make transphobic comments in an open forum.
{{/usCountry}}“You can criticise my film. You can say you didn’t like it. But nobody has given you the right to hurt them in front of everyone. Because the person sitting opposite you is a human being. Look at her as a human being… This is a very very harsh and transphobic comment that is violence in a way. I strongly condemn that person who spoke like this,” he concluded.
About Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy
Dorothy is directed by Karthik Subbaraj and produced by Guneet Monga Kapoor, Achin Jain and Jyoti Deshpande. It stars Keerthy, Sananth and Rishikanth. It tells the story of two friends whose lives are upended by the arrival of a mysterious woman. The film received a standing ovation when it premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in theatres on September 25 and has become a box office success.
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